• Home
  • Suggest A DIY
  • DIY Newsletter

Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

Book Review: Granny Square Along by Lori Holt

September 2, 2026 by Shellie Wilson

If you love colourful granny squares, vintage-inspired crochet and anything designed by Lori Holt, the new Granny Square Along Crochet Book deserves a spot on your wish list.

This is Lori Holt’s first crochet book, inspired by the granny squares her grandmother taught her to make. Inside are 13 creative granny square crochet projects, all presented in Lori’s wonderfully cheerful, scrappy style. Expect plenty of colourful cushions, bags, blankets and useful accessories that make the most of those little squares we can never resist making.

The spiral-bound format is a practical touch because the book should sit flat beside you while you crochet. Partial crochet diagrams are also included alongside the written instructions.

This book is best for confident beginners and intermediate crocheters. You should already understand basic crochet stitches, including chains, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet and slip stitches.

Most projects use Lori Holt’s #2-weight Chunky Thread with a 3.5 mm crochet hook, although some designs worked with two strands require a 4.5 mm hook.

What I love most is the book’s nostalgic, collected-over-time look. It is colourful without being garish and scrappy without looking as though every leftover yarn ball was thrown at it in a moment of desperation. The finished projects have that cozy handmade charm Lori Holt does so well.

The book is expected to ship in September 2026. The current reservation requires a $1.50 non-refundable fee, with the remaining preorder price charged when the book ships.

You can reserve the Granny Square Along Crochet Book by Lori Holt here.

If this book inspires you to keep experimenting, take a look at our 15 unusual granny square crochet patterns and these 20 other ways to use granny squares.

«
»

Have you read?

Crochet Colourful Doily Pillow – Bright, Easy, and a Great Scrap Yarn Project

This is a fun little crochet home decor project with plenty of color and texture. The idea is simple: crochet a round doily using different colors in each round, then attach it to a pillow case for a bright, handmade finish. The materials list is very basic too — just crochet yarn or thread, a hook, scissors, a pillow case, and a hot glue gun.

What I like about this one is that it feels very approachable. The pattern sticks to basic stitches like double crochet, chain, and slip stitch, and each round builds on the last with easy color changes. The tutorial even encourages you to get creative and change the pattern as you go, which makes it feel more relaxed and forgiving than a super strict doily pattern.

It is also a good stash-buster, especially if you have random bits of crochet cotton or thread hanging around. You can stop when the doily reaches the size you need, then attach it to the front of a pillow case, so there is plenty of room to customize the look.

The only part some crafters may side-eye a little is the hot glue gun step. Even in the comments, readers mention they would rather stitch the doily onto the pillow by hand so it stays softer and can be salvaged later. Honestly, I agree — I’d probably sew it on too.

Overall, this is a cheerful, beginner-friendly crochet pillow idea that is more about creativity than precision. If you enjoy easy crochet decor projects with a colorful handmade feel, this one is a sweet weekend make.

More Articles

Afghans, Blankets & Throws amigurumi Baby Hat Baby Patterns Beanies Beginner Book Reviews Christmas CHRISTMAS Clothing Crochet Patterns Crochet Techniques & Ideas Easy Crochet Patterns Free Crochet Patterns Granny Squares Halloween Patterns Quick Scarfs shawls

RSS feed: More Articles More Articles

  • Stitch Some Small Cross Stitch Patterns for Fall
  • Halloween Jewellery To Complete Your Costume Look
  • DIY Textured Ghost Candy Box Made From Recycled Cardboard
  • Adorable Ghost Knitting Patterns
  • 12 Pumpkin and Jack O’ Lantern Handmade Card Ideas for Halloween
  • How to Make DIY Shower Jellies – Lush-Inspired, Kid-Friendly and Naturally Scented
  • 20 Crafts Made From Paper
  • Mini Mending Mondays: Patch a Child’s Leggings Knee Without Using a Sewing Machine
  • Crafts to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Crochet Colourful Doily Pillow – Bright, Easy, and a Great Scrap Yarn Project

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card Making
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2026 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy